There has been some concern that the growing prevalence of GPS-enabled handsets could kill off the PND in the very near future, but new numbers from research firm Canalys tell a different story. 2nd quarter PND shipments in the United States increased almost 100% year-over-year, increasing from 1.9 million units shipped in Q2 2007 to 3.7 million units in Q2 2008. This huge increase is definitely a direct result of an average 40% price drop per unit since last year, something that is negatively affecting the entire supply chain, from retailers to chip makers.
Despite economic pressures, Garmin and TomTom continue to dominate the American market. Garmin had a year-over-year shipment increase of 100%, while TomTom had a 70% increase. Together they have an 80% market share in the US. Canalys did say however, that the entire GPS industry will see “a shake-up in business models as PND vendors, in particular, have to address the mobile phone threat”. The shake-up has already begun: can you say the Garmin nuviphone?
via twice (Picture Credit: The Ann Arbor News)
